My son just picked up sponsorship from a company that makes a sub-2-pound frame. The frame will be over a pound lighter than the Intense Junior XL he is currently riding... and with a 1/2 inch longer top tube.

For the moment, I'll continue to run his current wheelset. But I have plans for a lighter front wheel using a road front hub and fewer spokes. I don't understand why a bike built for a 63 pound kid needs 36 spokes per wheel. I'll likely use an 18 spoke front hub, radially laced to the 36 hole rim and skip holes. Finding a 20x1 rim with fewer than 32 spoke holes has been nearly impossible. I may reduce the number of spokes on the rear wheel, but there aren't many hubs lighter than the Profile mini rear hub we are currently using. I have three 28-hole sewup rims, but have found that the reduced overall diameter of the completed wheel/tire is more detrimental than the few grams required of a standard clincher setup... at least at his size. I'll save the sewups for my little one once he starts riding on the track. Maybe next year....

Well, the frame was delayed somewhat due to the manufacturer being injured. It arrived today slightly overweight. I was expecting around 850 grams and it weighs 940. However, it is still more than 450 grams lighter than my son's current frame which is smaller. The frame is completely raw, per my request. So once it is cleaned up and polished I think it will be a little bit lighter. But I doubt I'll be able to get it under 900 grams.

I considered it, but I'm on a budget (as always). $20.00 of supplies and about 6 hours of elbow grease and the frame is gleaming. It's not finished yet, but a couple more hours of work and it will be like a mirror.

I should have the polishing finished today. Build will probably be tomorrow or Monday. I've decided to strip and polish the cranks and stem as well so it could take a little longer. Here is the build list for now. I'll be building some new wheels in the coming weeks. I forgot to weight a few parts before installation. The only parts I don't have in hand are the new pedals. Some of the parts on this build could be lighter, but are sponsor supplied items so we are sticking with them.

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